Method of and apparatus for assembling strands



ay 1940. v. s. MARTIN 2,200,961

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR ASSEMBLING STRANDS Filed Sept. 3, 1938 F/GJ INVENTOR KS. MA RTI'IV QRT IMM' ATTORNEY Patented May 14, '1 940 7 UNITED STATES) PATEN OFFICE ASSEMBLING STRANDS Victor S. Martin, Baltimore, Md., assignor to Western Electric Company, Incorporated, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application September 3,1938, Serial No. "228,350

' .5 Claims; 01.. 9.6-3)

This invention relates to a method of and apparatus for assemblingstrands and more particularly to a method of and apparatus for producing multi-conductor cords and the like.

In the manufacture of strand assemblies, for

example, multi-conductor cords, it is desirable in some instances to 'form, such as by braiding,'a protective covering or'sh'eath on desired groups of individually insulated conductors. The life of 10" such cords depends considerably upon the tightness or looseness with which the sheath is apj Objects of the invention are to provide an iml by the grooves 4| and having arcuate outer surproved method of and apparatus for continuously, rapidly and efficiently producing strand assemblies. I r

With these and other objects in view the invention comprises a strand assembling apparatus, by means of which the method may be practised, including a fluted element to individually guide strands through the point of application of a sheath thereto, the element having radially extending ridges for guiding and spacing the strands tocause the sheath to lie loosely on the strands when the element is withdrawn.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, wherein Fig. 1 is a schematic front elevational view of an apparatus embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along the line 22 of Fig. 1 illustrating one embodiment of theinvention; and

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 33 of .Fig. 2.

Referring now to the drawing, it will be observed that the apparatus of the present embodiment of the invention includes a braiding head 20 of any well known type consisting of the usual rotatable carriers for carrying the inner and outer sets of bobbins or cops 2| and 22, respectively, as illustrated diagrammatically in Fig. 1.. The braiding head is mounted in a stationary housing 24 supported upon a suitable framework or pedestal (not shown). Attached at its lower end to the housing 24 and communicating with a central circular aperture in the base thereof is a vertical tube 30 which extends upwardly through the center of the braiding head 20 and has a cap 3| attached to the upper end thereof. A supporting bracket 33 connected to the cap 3| in any desired manner, such as by radially extending arms, is centrally apertured, at 34, to receive a threaded shank 35 of a gage or softening pin 38.

The gage 38 isflared outwardly at the base thereoffwhere' it rests upon the Supporting bracket 33." This outwardly flared portion in the present embodiment is divided into three lobes 40 by substantially V-shaped grooves 4|, which grooves extend from arcuate surfaces 42 adjacent the base (Fig. 2) to the upper extremity of the gage." The g'roov'es- 4| may be broadly termed apertures for guiding the strands at spaced portions. The reduced portion or neck of the gage is formed of a'predetermined diameter, dependent upon the size or gage of the strands or insulated conductors being covered, to form ribs 45 spaced faces with equal radii.

In the present embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 2 and 3 the strands 41, which are to be covered with a common braided sheath, are insulated electrical conductors fed from supplies (not shown) upwardly through the tube 30, where they are fed through their individual grooves in the gage 38 to receive the braided covering. I

When the apparatus is in operation the braiding head 20 is rotated by suitable means (not shown) to apply a braided sheath over the strands at a braiding point indicated at 55, after which the covered strands are directed upwardly, where they pass around a series of sheaves 5| and around the respective grooves in a capstan 52. The capstan 52 is driven by suitable means (not shown) and serves as means for advancing the covered strands, which strands upon leaving the capstan are taken up on a reel or other suitable means (not shown).

Referring again to the gage 38, it will be noted that the lobes 40 extend outwardly sufiicient the gage at the braiding point 50 are held out-' wardly by the strands until the gage is withdrawn fromthe strands. As a result thereof the strands, as they slip over the end of the gage during the advancement thereof, contract and the braid is somewhat loose.

The forming of a loosely braided sheath upon the strands lends flexibility to the finished cord, permitting the cord to be bent freely and repeat- 10 modified and departed from in many ways withedly without causing possible injury to the strands or the insulation thereupon or endangering possible breaking of the sheath.

Furthermore, the gage in positively guiding the strands in definite, parallel and equally spaced paths through the braiding point assures the application of a straight and uniform braided covering thereon.

The embodiment of the invention herein disclosed is illustrative only and may be widely out departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as pointed out in and limited'onlyby .the appended claims. I

What is claimed is:

1. In a strand assembling apparatus, means for forming a covering on a plurality of strands,

and means for loosening 'thecovering on the strands comprising a pin extending between strands at the point where the covering is being formed, said pin having groovesfor receiving and retaining the strands in a predetermined spacedrelationship while said covering is applied, whereby the covering is loosened when the pin is withdrawn. r

2. In a strand assemblingapparatus, means. for advancing a plurality of strands therethrough, means for applying a covering to the strands, and asoftening pin extending between thestrands at the point. wherethe covering being applied,- said pin having a plurality ofradially extending ribs separating each strand from another strand a predetermined amount at the point where the covering isbeing applied,

whereby the covering is softened when the pin is withdrawn.

3. In a strand assembling apparatus, means z for advancing a plurality of strands therethrough, means for applyinga covering to the strands, and a softening-pin extending between the strands at the point where, the covering is being applied, said pin having a pluralityof radially extending ribs'for guidingqthe' strands in a predetermined path during the application .of said covering. V

4.\In a strand assembling-apparatus; means T for advancing a :plurality ct strands there-.

support for said pin having an aperture in alignment with-each groove in said pin to direct-the strands into said. grooves. I

5. In a strand assembling apparatus, 'rneans1:

for advancing a plurality; of. strands therei-r" 7 through, means'forapplyi-ng a covering to-the strands, a softening pin having grooves forspaca ing and guiding said. strands during the applica-'.

tion of said coveringand provided with a flared base, and a support for the flared 'end of said pin:

having apertures in alignment with each groove; in said pin to direct the strands into saidgrooves;

VICTOR S; 

